Missouri Bill Regulating Crisis Pregnancy Centers (HB 1848)

HB 1848 would have established disclosure regulations for entities that provide pregnancy-related services and that advertise or solicit patrons with offers to provide prenatal sonography, pregnancy tests, or pregnancy options counseling.

The bill would have required entities like crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to provide written notice of whether they provide contraceptive drugs or devices that are approved by the FDA, an onsite consultation with a specified medical practitioner, adoption services or referral for adoption services, and abortion services or referral for abortion services. The notices would have been required to be conspicuously placed at all entrances to the premises at which the entity provides the services, in all areas where individuals wait to receive the services, on any website maintained by the entity that refers to the services, and in all advertisements promoting the services or promoting the entity providing the services.

This bill would have curbed the deceptive practices of CPCs and require them to be honest about the types of services and counseling that they provide.

CPCs have come under increased scrutiny over the last several years, as investigations have revealed that centers across the country have provided inaccurate information and neglected to follow proper medical protocols. (Source.)

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